Johnathan Abram was already one of the popular Raiders going into the regular season, but after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the first quarter and still finishing the game, Abram cemented himself as a fan favorite.
“I just started hitting people with my other shoulder,” Abram said after the game.
Now a month later, we’re learning exactly how extensive the injury to Abram’s shoulder happened to be and it’s even more impressive that he played 77% of the defensive snaps in the Denver game.
“I tore three ligaments,” Abram told ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday. “I tore the rotator cuff, I tore one under my armpit, one in the front, one in the back, and I tore my capsule.”
In Abram’s absence, Karl Joseph has performed well and despite his size, has brought a physical presence to the Raiders secondary that looked to maybe be lost when Abram went out. Joseph has been particularly effective against the run and is second on the team in tackles (26) as well as tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (3).
For what it’s worth, Abram also defended his quarterback to Stephen A. Smith (who has been critical of Derek Carr) during yesterday’s First Take appearance…
Kris Wysong on Twitter
Raiders Johnathan Abram defending Derek Carr, “He’s a winner” @FirstTake https://t.co/jeWLUBA9Rb
twitter: @raidersbeat
